The Orgon Waterfalls and the André Chamson Monument

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This magnificent hike is featured on the beautiful Massif de l'Aigoual map published by the Mont Aigoual Causses Tourist Office. Enjoy the diversity of the forests you will pass through, where you will constantly switch between beech, oak, fir and spruce trees. The panoramic views at (3) and at the André Chamson Monument are sublime.

Details

n°3378078
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 401 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 399 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,329 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,045 m
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Photos

Panoramic view towards the south
Waterfall
Waterfall
The Lunda

Description of the walk

Leave your car at the Cascades d'Orgon car park.

(S/E) Head down towards the footbridge and enjoy the superb panorama. The entrance to the undergrowth is particularly beautiful. Take the footbridge and you will immediately come to a crossroads.

(1) Take the one on the right, which is theGRP® du Tour du Pays du Viganais, marked in red and yellow. Begin a long descent, which is quite steep in places. Continue to reach the Coudoulous.

(2) Cross it to begin a long, easy climb, arriving at an open area offering a magnificent, unobstructed view.

(3) Continue on theGRP® to quickly reach Cap de Côte, where you will find a lodge, car park and picnic area.

(4) After the lodge, climb up to the car park. Do not follow the road, but take the Sentier de l'Écureuil (Squirrel's Path) on the left, which follows theGR®60for a while. The forest track passes through some deforested areas. It comes out at the Draivers' Road car park, which also has picnic tables.

(5) At this crossroads, take theGR®62Con the right, which leads to the tomb of André Chamson.

(6) Return by the same route to the previous crossroads.

(5) Turn right onto theGR®60marked in red and white, and cross the Valat de l'Abreuvoir again. You will reach the Abeuradoux shelter.

(7) Keep left at the crossroads after the shelter and follow theGR® marked by a pretty, easy-to-walk forest track. You will reach a new crossroads with another track.

(8) Leave theGR®60and its markings here and start the descent on the left along the Chemin du Cimetière. Continue until you reach the initial crossroads at the waterfall.

(1) Take the path on the right, following the same route as on the way there, to return to the Cascades d'Orgon car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,255 m - Cascades d'Orgon car park
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 1,241 m - Fork in the path after the footbridge
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 1,067 m - Coudoulous (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 3.31 - alt. 1,156 m - Beautiful panorama towards the south
  5. 4 : km 4.02 - alt. 1,183 m - Source, Refuge and Car Park at Cap de Côte
  6. 5 : km 5.69 - alt. 1,291 m - The Drovers' Road
  7. 6 : km 5.95 - alt. 1,281 m - André Chamson monument
  8. 7 : km 6.74 - alt. 1,299 m - Abeuradous shelter
  9. 8 : km 8.28 - alt. 1,328 m - Under the Lusette
  10. S/E : km 9.95 - alt. 1,255 m - Cascades d'Orgon car park

Notes

(3) You can camp in this open area.
(4) Fill your water bottles at the spring.

The trail is very well marked (signs, markers). A map is always useful.

Worth a visit

If it is hot, you can cool off in one of the many waterfalls along the way, or simply at the starting point. This hike is relatively sheltered from the strong winds that blow on the summit of nearby Mont Aigoual.
(4) Take a moment to read the plaque commemorating André Chamson on the site.
(6) Enjoy the view here and visit André Chamson's grave

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 36 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Mamimo
Mamimo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, with a first descent that is a little physically demanding and not to be attempted in rainy weather. The only downside, as is often the case with hiking, is the start. It would be good to specify that the actual start is a little further to the left of the car park, as you tend to look on the right-hand side, which is unusable.
A refreshing hike in summer!

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Val973
Val973

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike
Relatively shaded, which is very pleasant when it's hot
I got a little lost at the start and during the walk (fallen trees), but I quickly found my way back

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Carophil
Carophil

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with glorious sunshine, and given the recent rain, a magnificent waterfall. I recommend it, not too difficult.
Be careful at the start of the hike just after the plot where the waterfall is. Take the path on the right, but there are fallen trees and you can't see the path. It's easy to veer off to the left, but otherwise it's great😊👍👍

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Patrick Dutilleul
Patrick Dutilleul

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is currently closed by municipal order between markers 1 and 2 on the map (dangerous path due to rockfalls). It is recommended to take the route in the opposite direction to access the André Chamson monument, but it is not possible to complete the entire route.

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YannickV
YannickV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

By municipal decree, the path is closed, prohibited and monitored between points 1 and 4 because it is "dangerous due to damage caused by cyclists".
You must therefore take the Chemin du Troussat just above. There are several advantages to this:
1/ there are no more steep slopes or descents to reach the waterfall
2/ this path is very well signposted, wild and beautiful, with better views as it is higher up.
In my opinion, it should be the basic route for this guide.

I recommend parking at Cap de Côte, a secure car park with a lodge offering a warm welcome, advice, coffee and other amenities. You can then go in either direction.
Finally, for an extra 40 minutes, climb up to Pic de Barrette from André Chamson's grave: it's very easy and offers an exceptional view, this time of the Aigual.

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cathy86
cathy86

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning panoramic views.
We attempted to descend at No. 1, but it was very steep, so we decided to turn back.
So we didn't do the loop but hiked in the opposite direction, going back and forth from the end of No. 7.

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Isalucas
Isalucas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike when done in the direction indicated.

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Monze30
Monze30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Performed in the direction indicated
The ending is a little less interesting
But magnificent overall
Worth doing

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Lorapalm
Lorapalm

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in the opposite direction. It's interesting, especially in the morning, because you're in the shade. In addition, the very steep section near the waterfalls is easier going uphill than downhill.

However, the real problem is that you can't see the waterfall at all because the footbridge is located at the point where the water falls. There is a path below, which may offer a nice view of the waterfall. But it is not part of the trail. So there is a kind of misunderstanding even in the title of this hike.

The view from the André CHAMSON monument is superb. You can continue for a few hundred metres to enjoy a slightly different viewpoint.

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groupo segundo
groupo segundo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This race takes place in the cool Belle Cascade forest, a magnificent landscape. It is well marked and the tomb of Chamson is impressive.
What's more, mushroom picking doesn't spoil the outing

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Bobovisorando
Bobovisorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk to enjoy during a heatwave.

(Re)done, with suggestions for improvement:
1- Do the hike in reverse, which allows you to climb up to the waterfalls rather than down!
2- Start from the car park near the André Chamson monument, which is larger and safer than the one at the Orgon waterfalls!
3- At the start, take the squirrel trail (shaded) rather than the Drovers' Road (sunny) to reach Cap de Côte, and on the way back to the cars, avoid the sunny DFCI trail!
4- A suggestion: have a picnic at the end of the climb, at the Orgon waterfalls

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike (no tarmac). After point 1, the descent is steep and slippery. Further on, we come across several small waterfalls and stream crossings. The climb that follows is gentle. Cap de Côte is a great place to stop for lunch. The short detour to André CHAMSON's grave is well worth the effort. The view is magnificent. The broom wasn't in bloom yet, but there were lots of daffodils. A short, easy and very interesting walk.
PP and MM

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olivette34
olivette34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views of the sea, the Pyrenees and Mont Ventoux. A stroll in the cool, green countryside. Very beautiful woodland.

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Neof
Neof

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is a bit tough (I had a heavy bag with my camping gear and my dog attached via a harness, so my balance was off). The scenery is stunning, and once you get past this initial difficulty, the rest of the route is easier.
I camped at the indicated spot, but it was a bit difficult to find a place to pitch the tent as there are few flat areas.
Despite this year's drought, there was still water in several places and the entire hike is shaded.

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les MM's
les MM's

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lots of people at this time of year
We had already done this hike and it's always a pleasure to come and cool off in this forest when it's sweltering in Montpellier. I didn't remember the steep descent into the forest at the start of the hike. The path downhill is really not easy. Otherwise, no difficulties. The end of the hike is a bit monotonous with a long forest firebreak trail where it was hot. It would be so nice to replace it with a forest trail. Any suggestions?

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